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29 people face charges so far as 'tide-turning' heroin drug bust made in Duluth region

This is a selection of photos posted on social media by Carlos Coleman of Apple Valley, Minn., the main heroin distributor in the network. Bob King / Forum News Service1 / 3

U.S. Attorney Gregory Brooker announces indictments against 12 people in connection with a heroin distribution network Thursday, March 8, at the Duluth Public Safety Building. Bob King / Forum News Service2 / 3

Heroin was moved from Chicago to Apple Valley and then to the Duluth area in the network. Bob King / Forum News Service3 / 3

DULUTH—More than two dozen people are facing state and federal charges stemming from their alleged involvement in what authorities say was "a large heroin trafficking network" that brought drugs into northern Minnesota.

"This network has been responsible for bringing a near-constant supply of highly potent and highly addictive heroin into the city of Duluth and the surrounding communities of northeast Minnesota," U.S. Attorney Gregory Brooker said Thursday, March 8, during a news conference at the public safety building in Duluth. Brooker said 12 people have been indicted on federal charges for their alleged roles in the distribution conspiracy.

St. Louis County Attorney Mark Rubin said 17 additional people are facing state charges in connection to the distribution network — 16 for first-degree sale of drugs and one for third-degree sale of drugs.

Duluth Police Lt. Jeff Kazel, commander of the Lake Superior Violent Crimes and Drug Task Force, said Thursday that the situation is "fluid," and more arrests are expected.

The task force has spent more than a year investigating and building a case that resulted in the charges on Thursday, Rubin said, adding, "Today, we turn the tide."

Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken warned Thursday, "The hard work by these incredibly dedicated law enforcement agencies, their deputies, officers and agents, has served notice on those who prey upon our community, suffering from the scourge of addiction. If you're peddling poisons to our people, we are watching you, and we will hold you accountable for your actions."

Brooker said that Carlos Nashun Coleman, 33, of Apple Valley, Minn., was the alleged main distributor in the network that brought heroin from Chicago to Northeastern Minnesota via the Twin Cities. Coleman has been indicted in federal court on one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin and one count of distribution of heroin. Brooker pointed out that Coleman showed off his profits on social media in photos that included Rolex watches and cash.

Coleman and the other 11 people facing federal indictments spent years bringing heroin into northern Minnesota from Chicago, said Brooker. Coleman allegedly relied on a network of sub-distributors to sell heroin throughout the communities in northern Minnesota. Major exchange locations in the network included Duluth, Superior, Hermantown, Proctor, Virginia, Eveleth, Cloquet, Floodwood, Saginaw, Carlton, Iverson and Scanlon.

Tusken said it's frustrating to know that another distributor moves in to fill the void whenever law enforcement disrupts a distribution network like it did on Thursday.

"As unfortunate as it is, we know that that's a reality. I think that there's a message that's important for me to give to anyone who feels the need to fill that void. If you're going to follow the footsteps of these defendants, please know, it will be you next. We have the expertise, determination, partnership and focus to interrupt, intercept and arrest anyone, anywhere who dares to come to this community and profit from bringing pain to our citizens."

Tusken said addiction has been "unbelievably hard on our community." In the past six years, Duluth has had 323 overdoses and 44 deaths due to overdoses. In the two years since Duluth police officers began carrying Narcan, an opioid overdose antidote, they have saved 56 people from an overdose death, Tusken said.

"The tears that are cried at funerals, the families who have been impacted through addiction, it's just heartwrenching," Tusken said. "Our families (who) have lost loved ones from addiction — we want you to know that we hear you. Our families (who) suffer in pain because of addiction, we want them to know that we hear you. We are doing everything we can to interrupt, intercept the source of supply for these deadly poisons before they reach the streets of Duluth, the communities and your families."

Opioids are being "pushed" into communities across the country via distribution networks similar to the one that Coleman allegedly led in Minnesota, Brooker said.

"We all know too well how opioids have ruined lives and destroyed communities throughout our country, and Minnesota is, of course, not immune to this problem. It's not just an urban or suburban Twin Cities problem. Our national opioid epidemic is affecting our cities, suburbs and rural communities all across the country and here in Minnesota," Brooker said.

Agencies involved in the investigation included the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Duluth, Superior, Hibbing, Hermantown, Virginia and Fond du Lac police departments; and the St. Louis and Carlton county sheriff's offices.